from Damien Cox of The Spin,

But the guy who really deserves NHL sanctions for all that ensued?

Try Ron Rolston, the Sabres coach.

A U.S. college guy, no less, who has spent most of his time playing and coaching hockey in leagues where full face-masks are worn and fighting means immediate ejection.

Rolston, after seeing Corey Tropp decide to start a fight with apprenticing Leaf tough guy Jamie Devane and end up groggy and beaten up for his efforts, responded as though it was Devane who had attacked his player and sent out the aforementioned Scott, who for years now has taken up NHL roster spots because he is 6-foot-8 and a fighter of moderate ability.

It was the classic tap on the shoulder, the "and-don't-dance" wordless missive from the coach.

Rolston wanted revenge, so he sent out Scott. Leaf coach Randy Carlyle didn't want any part of it, so he sent out his best forwards, believing the "code" - enforcers aren't supposed to go after non-combatants - would defuse the situation.

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